Hi - I have just a DEXA scan of the forearm which came out with a T count of -2.5 which puts me on the very edge of osteoporosis. Does anyone know how reliable a scan of the forearm is - is there likely to be more or less density in the hip or spine. I have no symptoms and am otherwise healthy and fit, I exercise, eat well and have already booked to go skiing at Xmas (maybe not such a good idea now ). I am 54. There is a family history of osteoporosis - my mother was crippled with it and it was too late to do anything by the time the diagnosis was made. I have been given extra strong calcium (calcium carbonate) plus vit D supplements by not offered anything else (I am from the UK and Fosomax is not licensed for treatment at this stage). I have also ordered some herbal medicine from India called Reosteo - has anyone heard of this? I am upset, but not surprised (it has taken me three years to pluck up courage to have a scan) by the diagnosis and am very keen to avoid any more bone less. Any information would be very welcome. Thanks
I'm sorry to hear that you have a minus T Score. It sounds like it's heredity in your case since your otherwise healthy. Since your mom had it also you might want to follow up with your doctor to get a dEXA scan. I'm not sure how accurate the forearm readings are. I would want to know about the hip and spine like you are asking about to judge whether you want to pursue other treatments. What medications are licensed in the UK for osteoporosois? I've never heard of the medication from India. Let us know if you decide to try it.
Thanks - it's actually a -2.1 score which is slightly better I suppose. I.m not sure yet what exactly is available in the UK other than Didronal, Fosamax and SERMS (?? receptor modulators or something like that). I will keep you posted about the supplements from India (they haven't arrived yet).
I think at 54 to have -2.1 is pretty good for your family history. You are lucky and (scolding) you should have gone in sooner Nothing you can do about that now, but I have found results in taking calcium and doing weight bearing exercises. I did little of both, but in a year I saw an improvement. My sister has improved her hips back to normal range with just the same.
Bone growth is slow, so is bone loss. Hopefully the calcium, vit D and exercise will show an improvement for you by next year!
Hi Zoegirl- I know I should have gone earlier but I was terrified after watching what happened to my mother. Anyway better late than never. Hopefully, the calcium plus vit D and exercise (which I have done for years) will help. I have also just started a supplement called Reosteo which is a plant based supplement from India based on Ayurvedic medicine and has apparently had good results. I'm trying to find an Ayurvedic doctor here to consult but it's quite difficult to find. I am not in a bad enough state yet to be offered Fosamax or anything else here in the UK. Are you in the UK or the States? I am waiting to see if I will be referred to specialist. I've just looked at your profile and see that you were diagnosed at a much younger age - are you able to live a normal life? Have you tried Fosamax or anything like it.I started everything late in life and have a 14
year old daughter so need to be able to keep going for a while yet!!
New diagnosis osteopenia 
Nothing you can do about that now, but I have found results in taking calcium and doing weight bearing exercises. I did little of both, but in a year I saw an improvement. My sister has improved her hips back to normal range with just the same.
Re: New diagnosis osteopenia 
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